When Your Morning Routine Falls Apart: How to Handle Chaos Without Losing Your Cool

February 18, 2025 By: Kelleycomment

The Morning That Went Off the Rail

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about ’em, click here.

This morning, my entire routine was thrown off. My husband got up late and was using the computer I needed for my workout. The one morning I actually managed to wake up early, and I had to wait—it felt so unfair.

Then, as I was trying to shake off the frustration, child #3 stealthily crept into the kitchen. When I turned around, he was just standing there—scaring the bejesus out of me. But hey, at least we got a little unexpected cuddle time out of it.

[Read more…]

Talking Politics with kids

November 7, 2018 By: Kelleycomment

Last night, our family had a rare night off from activities. We ended up in the basement putting a puzzle together. I LOVE these times! I decided to turn CNN on my phone and listen to some of the election coverage. This brought up a lot of questions about politics from my kids (10 & 9) that my husband and I weren’t ready for. [Read more…]

The #1 lesson I learned facing my biggest fear

October 3, 2017 By: Kelleycomment

A few weeks ago, I attended a retreat in San Diego, the theme was ‘Dream Big’. We were asked at the opening “What is your intention for this weekend?”. I had been thinking a lot about this on the way to the retreat because of the struggles and blocks I was facing before I came. I resolved to “trust and surrender” to break through my barriers. What I didn’t know was that I was getting ready to get the biggest trust exercise that I never even thought would be possible that weekend. [Read more…]

Get Ready for ‘Back to School’

August 1, 2017 By: Kelleycomment

Each July, I try to organize our back to school experiences to make it as easy as possible. I like to streamline our mornings. THIS year is going to be like every other year except one tiny (minuscule really), itty, bitty little detail….we are living with my parents…. [Read more…]

The Unintended Consequences of Parental Fear: 4 ways to support your children even when you’re afraid

April 13, 2017 By: Kelley4 Comments

When you are around an anxious person, how do you feel? Irritated, annoyed, concerned, afraid, anxious yourself? Imagine being a child and feeling that from the very person that is there to protect you and make you feel safe? How can they feel safe when they feel your worry?

My daughter came home from school with a sign up sheet for the talent show. She enthusiastically let me know that she wanted to be in it. In my knee-jerk reaction I blurted out “Are you sure? What would you do?” She said “I don’t know, I just want to be in it”. Even more warily, I said “Do you even know what it is? It’s where you stand on a stage up in front of everyone and do a talent.” This time with the added touch of fear in my voice. That caught her attention. And she decided that she didn’t want to do it.

I crushed her spirit right then and there

So many thoughts were going through my mind. The time I sang the star spangled banner at a basketball game and my voice cracked and one of my teammates laughed. All the times I was wrecked with nerves when I had performances (did I mention I used to be a voice major?). In that moment, I unintentionally pushed all of my fears onto her.

[Read more…]

SUBSCRIBE